Smaller Farmington selectmen's board has little support at public hearing

Saturday

Feb 26, 2011 at 3:15 AM

By John Nolanjnolan@fosters.com

FARMINGTON — A public hearing was held, last week, on a citizens' petition to reduce the size of the Board of Selectmen from five down to three members. The article will be on the town warrant, next month.

When chairman of the board, Paula Proulx, opened the hearing, Neil Johnson, in the audience, asked. "Does anyone know the reason? It seems a little foolish to reduce a quorum from three down to two. I don't see it as being a positive move for this town."

Another citizen, Jane Wingate, inquired how it would be implemented if passed by the voters. She was told that the terms of all five selectmen would expire in March 2012, and at election time that year, there would be three openings on the Board of Selectmen — one for one year, one for two years and one for three years. In ensuing years, as each term expired, they would become three-year slots.

Selectman Gerry McCarthy said there were pros and cons either way.

"Three makes it go faster, but I have never liked just two people (a majority) in charge of the whole town. It takes longer to do anything with five, but that is usually the better way," said McCarthy.

Selectman Joan Funk, who, like McCarthy has served of boards of both sizes, said "If you had asked me three years ago, I would have been in favor of three, but the town is growing. We have almost 7,000 people."

In the audience, Brian St. Onge, who chairs the Budget Committee, said, "Five heads are better than three, plus, you get better geographic representation."

Selectman Charlie King said, "I am opposed to the petition. You get more wild swings (with three.) It does take longer with five, but we get more ideas." He added that a five-person board can also better share the load of committee work, a point that McCarthy agreed with.

Selectman Gail Ellis said she favored a five-member board as it gave more perspectives.

"You get more representation with five. They come from more walks of life, and we all have our strengths and weaknesses" said Proulx.

In the audience, Jim Horgan, who is running for a seat on the Board of Selectmen this year, said, "The more heads the merrier for brainstorming."

No one who had signed the petition to reduce the size of the board was seated in the audience of the public hearing.

The meeting then proceeded to the other item on the agenda, a petition to appoint Proulx as town administrator.

At this point, Proulx handed the chairmanship of the meeting to her vice chair, Ellis, and took no part in discussions.

The petition, signed by 129 people, was handed to Ellis by Wingate, who took a seat up front to address the board. She asked for the reasons why Proulx had not been selected to fill the vacancy which has existed for six months or more.

Ellis said it was a nonpublic matter.

"As a whole, the board decided to continue the process. We have to give candidates privacy and not disclose any names. They have the right to confidentiality," said Ellis.

Interim Town Administrator Alan Gould of MRI added, " I am not aware of any candidate who waived privacy."

"So there are no specific reasons to deny Paula? When will you have beaten the bushes enough?" Wingate pressed.

"It is a tough market and it is the board's desire to find the right fit. They did make one offer but that candidate got a better offer," said Gould.

In response to a question from Wingate, King said that the salary range was up to $70,000 and there were qualification requirements.

In response to another question, Ellis said, "All nonpublic minutes are sealed."

"Many candidates would not want the contents of the minutes unsealed," said Gould.

King added, "Any candidate can disclose information, but not the board."

Wingate continued to question King until Ellis said, "Charlie has answered that several times."

Wingate said, "If I were not screwed up on another matter, the number on the petition would have been tripled or quadrupled."

She then resumed her seat back in the audience.

In other business, an estimate of $475 to repair drive shafts in the town clock was accepted.

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